I am right handed and use only left hand cranking.  I own 19 assorted Daiwa Tatula reels, love them all, but to get a 5 speed gear ratio the price is more than the average angler will pay.  "Listen, Daiwa."

I have a Calcutta 251 that I have used for years for crankbaits.  I never thought of it as too heavy or unbalanced.  It's a tank of reel that will last forever. 

I also have the Abu Garcia Revo Winch Gen. 4 and this is probably one the best technique specific reel I have used.  It's designed to do two things... cast a medium size crankbait a mile and bring in fish from around 8-12 feet.   It will of course do whatever else but this is it's happy place. 

 

Another reel I just purchased is the Shimano Antares 12 5.6:1.  There is a guy eBay that auctions them off.  They usually go for less than $300, which for this reel, is a bargain.   I have only been able to fish it a few times so far but its super smooth and casts like a dream. 

 

Two more to look at it if you are looking to cast lighter crankbaits...  Both JDM reels....  Daiwa Steez A CC and the Shimano Alderbaran 31.  I think both of these have a retrieve rate around 23-25 inches. 

 

But with all that said.... I like using the Shimano Curado DC for cranks baits probably the most.   It casts a mile, it's smooth, and is pretty much worry free when it comes to casting.   

 

And with all the reels that are available, I still think if you know the reel you are using, it's pretty easy to just watch the line and slow down your retrieve. 

I had this question as well. I was searching for a deep cranking reel, something for 8 and 10xd's (and like cranks). All my reels are Shimano and unfortunately there were no low profile reels offered on the US market with a 5 gear ratio other than the round reels. So I ended up with the 4th Gen Revo Winch, my only 2 reels that are non-Shimano. I'd have to say, they've served me well. No issues at all and I use the snot out of them during the summer deep cranking with lots of load. They remain smooth, drag still works, and no weird clunkiness. I would recommend.